[567] The Start of War (3)
Shirone asked.
"What exactly do you mean by 'cannot inflict harm'?"
"All primary physical and mental attacks are included. Tactical applications—that is, secondary effects—are not regulated."
Hershi said.
"Secondary, huh. So setting traps and letting participants walk into them is allowed?"
"That's correct. In that case the source of the attack would be an object, a strategy, or the terrain—not the loser of the Kang."
"I see. What if someone chooses Pao?"
"Refusal to compete. Even if Pao is chosen, participants who wagered Kang cannot be harmed until the next scramble summon. However, it will not count as gaepae in that case."
"But they can keep their cards."
"Exactly."
Iruki propped his chin and thought.
Whether you lose the Kang or choose Pao, being unable to harm the opposing side is a fatal risk.
'I could be chased for almost two hours. If they manage to seize the master card during that time—'
The match would swing in an instant.
'This isn't just about competing over card hands. The rules practically force you to tempt the opponent into destroying their master cards. So beyond tactics, actual fighting ability matters too.'
Amy asked.
"What about when priorities are equal? I mean, if the card combinations are identical."
"If the same hand appears, there is no winner or loser. Also, it will not be considered gaepae."
She didn't say it outright, but the implication was: then hit each other like you mean it.
'Huh. I thought acquisition time might break ties, but apparently matching the hand is all that matters.'
Then there's no need to instantly reveal the random card.
"That concludes the match rules. Does everyone understand?"
No one answered.
They understood the rules, but to grasp the intent behind them they'd have to play a match.
'The rules themselves are simple. But with the random cards and the variable of being untouchable for two hours, things can get very messy.'
Lulu wrapped up.
"Fundamentally, the match lasts seven days. In other words, whoever holds the highest hand at midnight on the final day wins, and the Judge will distribute all rewards and penalties."
In short, there are two ways to win Black-and-White.
Either fight the opponent until all their master cards are destroyed, or hold the strongest hand until time runs out.
'Neither is easy. To destroy a master card you'd have to subdue everyone on the opposing team. Conversely, only one person needs the top hand to win, but keeping it for seven days is tough. Sacrificial strategies will be required.'
"The scramble locations are given as XYZ coordinates; once a participant collects one, it disappears from the master card. That's the end of the Black-and-White rules. Use them creatively, find various tactics, and enjoy the game with your friends."
Lulu vanished and the Judge's light went out.
"Enjoy the game, my ass."
Someone muttered.
* * *
The twelve who heard the rules sat in silence, each weighing the variables against their own abilities.
'I win. I will win this game no matter what.'
Nade didn't show it outwardly, but inside he trembled.
One second by photonic scale.
If time could be manipulated, there was room for Shirone's Sibulsangpokmae to take effect.
Iruki thought more concretely.
'Casting Slow can add one second. But Sibulsangpokmae is on another level.'
The key was whether the random card could be exploited.
He didn't know the exact time it took for a random card to be fixed as Black or White, but it wouldn't exceed one second.
Therefore, Shirone could repeatedly open the random card until the color he wanted appeared.
He would be bypassing the hidden card's randomness.
No one but his friends likely knew his ability, but he kept a poker face and stared at the opposing team.
'Only my friends know my power.'
Even without that knowledge, it was clear this wasn't an easy game, yet the allied team looked confident.
'Baseless confidence? Or have they got a killer strategy?'
Once their thoughts were sorted, Hershi stepped forward to continue negotiations.
"All right, let's move on to rewards and penalties."
Nade brought up the point he'd prepared.
"First, confirm the settled terms. If we win, the six allied members must be ranked below us until the graduation exam."
Hershi jotted it down for the moment.
"Good. Then if our team wins, the Paranormal Psychical Science Research Association will leave Istas."
That part was easy—then came the real issue.
"Now that the group terms are settled, shall we move to individual matters? If anyone wants to put a reward or penalty on the Scramble Royal, raise your hand."
No one raised a hand immediately because this wasn't about naming wants casually.
This was negotiation.
To get a reward accepted, you had to accept the commensurate price demanded by the other side.
"I'll make a proposal."
When Kaiden raised his hand, Shirone's team tensed; Shirone himself nervously bit his lip.
A jealous person could ask for anything.
'If it only splits Amy and me, that's tolerable. But if he intends something for Amy—'
Anxious images swirled through his head. Shirone took a deep breath.
'Stay calm. Even ridiculous conditions can be adjusted through negotiation.'
The only real danger was that once they accepted the Scramble Royal, the match had to be fought. Refusal would be treated as a forfeit by custom, and if they rejected even that, it would mean war.
"The condition I demand if we win is—"
Shirone swallowed.
"Shirone, you must sincerely confess your love to Maya."
"...What?"
The unexpected demand widened his eyes, but Shirone felt relief that Amy wasn't involved.
Amy's reaction was different.
"You bastard! How dare you treat someone's heart like that? Do you think a stupid game can decide feelings?"
"I didn't force anyone. If you can't do it, pay the price with your life. Terms for contract cancellation will be discussed later, though."
"What the—!"
"Amy, wait."
As Amy raised her fist, Shirone spoke.
"Nothing's decided yet. If it's impossible, we can negotiate and adjust it."
He said it, but Shirone had a gut feeling they'd end up accepting Kaiden's proposal.
"Fine. The subject of negotiation is Shirone. You know why, right? This is the most realistic condition I can offer."
Amy said.
"Shirone, ignore him. There's about eleven hours left, right? Let's take this to the end."
Kaiden's eyes lit up.
"Really want to see it through? If this is all the negotiation, I'll up the stakes. If we win, Amy becomes my doll. Or I could sell her on the Golden Coin Circle."
Amy slammed both hands on the table.
"Who do you think you are? I'd rather die!"
"Then die!"
Kaiden shot back.
"You think this is a school? No one's going to care if you die. I'm conceding as much as I can to keep talks smooth. The underworld research group has its rules, and everyone here agreed. If you don't like it, just leave."
Shirone asked.
"What purpose does that serve for you? You like Maya, don't you?"
"She's my muse."
Kaiden's eyes flashed with mania.
"If it makes her happy, I'll sacrifice anything. I'll kill anyone if needed."
"Everyone calm down."
Iruki tried to steady the room.
"It's just their proposal. And Kaiden made it clear he won't back down. In that case—"
Electricity sparked in Iruki's gaze as he glared at Kaiden.
"You're prepared to pay an equivalent price too, right?"
Perhaps the angriest person in the room was Iruki, pulled into Amy's plight.
"That's something we'll hear and decide on."
Hershi stepped in, deflecting Iruki's hostility.
"But before that, may I propose one cost from our side?"
Nade asked as if ready to strike.
"Why are you proposing our side's reward?"
"Just hear me out. It's not a bad offer."
Sabina calmed Nade and asked.
"All right, tell us."
Hershi smiled and raised a finger.
"If you accept Kaiden's proposal, we'll get one of your members passed for the graduation exam."
"What...?"
"I'm not saying we'll just stamp a pass, but we'll use all the Golden Coin Circle's connections and influence to get them through."
'Fermi, huh.'
It was certain—if not proven—that the Golden Coin Circle acted as a broker for the graduation exam.
'Hershi can't make that offer alone. He's already set the limits of negotiation.'
Hershi held up two fingers.
"If you don't like that, how about this? Until the graduation exam, every member of the Golden Coin Circle will be ranked below your team."
Since graduation is the top priority at the academy, it was a shocking proposal.
'Why are they so obsessed with the Scramble Royal? What secret does Istas hold?'
"Let's accept."
Shirone's team all turned to Dorothy.
"What?"
"Let's accept. Even if the researchers are involved, Sabina and I are outsiders. We can't commit wholeheartedly without some reward."
Dorothy looked at Iruki.
"You pulled me into this too, remember?"
Iruki simply nodded.
"True."
Nade said.
"But Dorothy, even if you graduate that way—"
"I know. I don't want to pass because of someone's help. I don't need special favors. But when you're teetering on the edge of passing, nothing's guaranteed. Who wants another year here?"
Dorothy held out her hand.
"Sorry, I misspoke. What I mean is, aside from using a pass card, it's far more efficient to take this offer now. They're not asking for Amy's body, and they're not asking Shirone to date Maya. It's just a confession, right? And what we gain is one pass. You know what that means."
Regardless of whether the pass is used, it gives them leverage to control Fermi's whole group in the graduation exam.
'The Golden Coin Circle will certainly try their best. Once the pact is enforced through the Judge, they'll have to face penalties for breaking it. Hershi's claim is believable.'
While Iruki considered this, Dorothy added.
"Don't misunderstand. If there were another way, I'd refuse this sort of offer too. But regarding Shirone and Kaiden, Amy and Maya, I don't see a better compromise. Honestly, refusing would be foolish."
After thinking it through, Iruki asked Kaiden.
"So it's just a confession? Regardless of Maya's choice?"
"Of course. It doesn't matter if Maya accepts. But the confession must be sincere. If you can't do it, you'll pay the price."
"Pffff."
It was awkwardly ambiguous.
Rationally the scales had tilted, but emotionally it felt balanced again.
Nade grabbed his hair.
'Hershi won't back down. That's part of their condition for joining.'
Knowing that, Hershi had offered the most powerful bargaining chip even at his own cost.
"Let's step outside for a bit and coordinate our opinions."
Precisely, Shirone wanted to hear his friends' thoughts first.
"Anytime. Today's that kind of day."
Hershi invited them, and Nade stood and called his friends over.
"Everyone, come out."
Staring fiercely at the allied team, five of them filed past the table and left the research association room.